"She Doesn't Need A Trophy From The CMA": Billy Ray Cyrus Called Out The CMA Awards For Giving Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" Zero Nominations

The CMA Awards took place last night, and Billy Ray Cyrus hopped on Instagram to address the elephant in the room: not a SINGLE nomination for Beyoncé.

Billy Ray Cyrus in leather jacket and wide-brimmed hat, smiling while seated in an interview setting
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Unless you live under a rock, you probably listened to Cowboy Carter, which made Beyoncé the first Black woman to top Billboard’s country music chart. Her single "Texas Hold 'Em" also hit No. 1. Earning 11 Grammy nominations, the album was the second in a three-act project dedicated to reclaiming music with Black roots. It featured a number of Black country artists, including Shaboozey, who received his own CMA nominations but did not win last night.

Person in a black studded jacket, white shirt, bolo tie, and white cowboy hat at an event
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On Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé expertly fused country vibes with other genres and influences. My favorite song is the perfect example of this: "Daughter" included her powerful rendition of the Italian aria "Caro Mio Ben." Only Bey would think of combining country and opera — iconic!

Beyoncé wearing a stylish leather outfit with a matching hat and sunglasses, smiling on stage
Amy Sussman / Getty Images

And in case people object to genre-blending songs winning at the CMA Awards, I would remind you that "Old Town Road" won Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus the award for Musical Event of the Year in 2019.

Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus in cowboy attire with fringe detail perform energetically on stage using microphones and guitars
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So, perhaps it's no surprise that the country singer defended Beyoncé in an Instagram post. "Congratulations to ALL @cma nominees!" he wrote. "I’m so happy and proud to see country music opening their doors and format to be inclusive to all people, all styles."

  Steve Granitz / WireImage
Steve Granitz / WireImage

He went on to share his thoughts on the snub, writing, "I was surprised to see @beyonce wasn't nominated??? Her album was brilliant… her single ruled."

Beyoncw in a cowboy hat and western-inspired attire with long hair. The ribbon reads "Cowboy Carter." Background features stylized buildings
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"But she knows that. She doesn't need a trophy from the CMA… or permission …. or approval from any of their judges."

  James Devaney / GC Images
James Devaney / GC Images

He concluded with a quote from Muhammad Ali: "When ya knock em out…. Ya don’t need no judge."

  Gabe Ginsberg / Getty Images
Gabe Ginsberg / Getty Images

What do you think of all this? LMK in the comments below.